New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-06
A SENATORIAL CONTEST IN 1851.
WHERE THURLOW WEEDS JUDGMENT
ERRED.

BALM FOR COMMISSIONER ATKINs-THE DUKE OF
SUTHERLAND AT THE CAPITAL.
IRON TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT TIE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Jan. 5.-COngressmsn Sessions
called in conversation to-day the Senatorial contest of
1851 which promised 10 make William NJ. Evarts
United States Senator but for unforeseen of
judgment on the part of Thnrow Weed. The Incl
dents connected with that struggle have never before
been made public, and are OF additional interest be-
cause they involve persons still living Incident
ally they also show the whrigg OF time and the rapid
conversions to which politicians given. Lucius
Robinson Republican IN those days. and ttlo
dreamed of ever becoming Democratic Governor Of
the State of New-York. Waldo Hutchins too another
actor in that little episode which Mr. Sessions recalled
to-day, was then supporting Mr.. Greeley. who was
ptted against William NJ. Evar.s. Mr. Sessions said :
" was member of the State Senate and when went
to ALBANY l supposed that Evarts would be elected
as a matter Of course. know that he had made q
speech at Castle Garden In $50 in favor OF execution
Of the Fugitive Slave law but his views had under
gone change and there seemed to he no opposition to
him. day or two after | got to Aibsny Ihurow
Weed came to me and solicited mo TO offer and carry
through the Senate a joint resolution favoring all
amendment to the Constitution of the United States
to dedicate all the territory south OF the latitude OF
So 80 slavery and all north OF that line TO freedom
forever He urged that armed with such resolution
Mr. Seward could carry tho proposition in the United
the South win attempt to break up tho Union, and
there will be boodshed.'
any reply was that the Republican party had Just
elected a PresiL ent on n declaration against any
further extension of slavery that II ! should
offer and advocate such resolution could never go
back to Chauianqua Go ntv TO live and refused to
do il. Atterward Lucius Robinson, who was in the
Legislature from Emira, was persua led bv weed aud
by General Diven, OF EImiIa. who wa' largely in
terested in railroad IN Missouri to oher tie
resolution A secret caucus of Republican Senators
and Assemblymen Immediately called, and after
a full discussion the resolution rejected by vote
OF rs to o, as l recoliect We then began to doubt
the oropriety of sending Mr.. Eyarts to the Senate as
Stewards successOrtor at that time every body knew
that Mr.. Seward would enter Lincolns Cabinet.
committee was appointed of which was a member 10
organize the opposition to Evarts. We pitched on
Horace Greeley as our candidate on account OF MS
sreng 9Th with the country members. we hired big
room Ia the basement of the Uea an House. and con
Quoted our canvass 30 quietly that Weed did not
discover until the day before the caucus that there
to bS any organized opposi ION to Evarts 'udeo
Harris wanted to come to the Senate and We had
turned o, to bim all the men we could who would
not agree to support Mr. G'eeey r Uh sS M ao
fret put finally consented and went, accompanied by
Lapham, OF Clinton County. We found Weed IN
Governor NJ. rgans private alone and looking Az
black thunder cloud. His first words to me were
al expected to live to ace you vote ior
Horace Greeley Tor United States Senaor.'
81 replied: j never expected TO i've 10 see YOU
support Tor the Senate a who plblicly advocated
the execution OF the Frg't'v,a, Slaye law ,,.s
"Mr. Weed rophed that Mr.. Evartss opinions had
| undergone a radical change and urged us Doih To
support m. We declined to do 80. Tie then sad
that Mr.. Seward going INTO the Cab net that he
would control the patronage OF tue Admhis rati"h III
the State OF hew-i York, and that If could see our
way clear TO support Eyar,s VIC coulG have anything
in the mower of the Administration 10 give Us. we
still reused and LETT Mr. Weed to enter the caucns
You know tie result. When Mr.. Grcelcy's vote lad
climbed up 10 y-six, Weed ana the other Evarts
managers we're seized b, panic and stampedei 10
Harris who WIS Nominated BY i've or ok majority.
Weed never spOke TO me nor recognized me aiierward
IL iced had not rropo.ed ana urged the adoption OF
that resolution do not believe there would have been
any organiz ed opposition to Evaits lie would have
been elected to the Senate and probably would have
remained in that body down TO the present Time.
In commenting upon some recent appointments in
tn. Ind an service led into making triiIng
mistake which seems TO have annoyed that stern od
Roman. Commissioner Atkins, and stirred HIS bile
beyond endurance | said Upon the authority OF
prominent Army officer thar the physician sent by NJ
had proved his incompetence in various WAYS II
seems the criticism made does not apply To the
hyscian but the clerk apponie ed ny Mr. Atkinr ~
acknowledged by the Bureau it~clf Vi course the
Commissioner is welcome TO the consolation which lac
ma, derive from this correction. 1t In very cheeruily
| made.
The Duke of Sutherland has disappointed the lion
hunters OF the Capital by behaving during his short
stay here very much a. any other mortal would wno
desired 10 the and not the social bnres VINO
mics, It lie astoLisned the natives the other day by
renarking that he thought a brcathcr would le
beneficial and so, accompanied by friend. he walked
| TO the Soldiers Home aud back to his hotel lie
boosted afterwdrd OF having covered the distance
| anout fen mies-:n q Traction OF three hours The
Jehus OF the Capital unite in expressing her utmost
contempt TOR ang stranger and Duke AT that-who
will walk sbcre he can ride aud breathe easier now
that the Dnke has gone to Florida and the possibility
OF his starting the fashion OF Walking ior 'iSi'iuE
strangers is removed